Cooling and dispensing device



May 19, 1953 c. L. DAUN 2,638,758

COOLING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed June 2, 1950 2 sheets-sheet 1 I N VEN TOR.

EARL L. DA UN .4 TTDHNE) May 19, 1953 c. DAUN 2,533,753

COOLING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed June 2, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. 49 .ZAEL LDAz/N a/z K1 A T TUEJVf Patented May 19, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COOLING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Carl L. Daun, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Dawn & 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June 2, 1950, Serial No. 165,833

4 Claims.

barrel, which is simple in construction and effective in operation for the rapid and efiicient cooling of beer during its passage through the tap rod in the course of its being drawn from the barrel and delivered to the dispensing faucet, which'in many instances is attached directly to the upper extremity of the tap rod.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a new and improved refrigerated tap rod which includes, in its unitary structure, a capillary tube that serves a plurality of purposes; firstly, as a metering device for controlling the fiow of refrigerant into the tap rod to insure the desired flooded condition of the rod with refrigerant and, secondly, as a means by which the refrigerant is delivered to the tap rod in unexpanded condition to insure the optimum advantage of the initial expansion of the refrigerant for effecting the rapid cooling of the beer as it is drawn through the tap rod from the bottom of the barrel and delivered to the dispensing faucet.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a new and improved refrigerated .tap rod which includes a capillary tube for delivering a refrigerant, in unexpanded condition, to a refrigerant jacket surrounding a centrally disposed beer passage and extending substantially the entire length of the beer passage whereby the refrigerant jacket is effective to materially reduce the temperature of the beer as it is being drawn through the beer passage in the tap rod during the dispensing operation.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a new and improved refrigerated tap rod comprising a plurality of concentrically arranged thin-walled metal tubes of high thermal conductivity including a central tube extending the entire length of the tap rod and forming a beer passage therethrough, an intermediate tube, cooperating with the central tube to delineate a refrigerant passage surrounding the central passage and extending substantially the, entire length of the central tube, and an outer tube 2 cooperating. with the delineate a continuation of the refrigerant passage surrounding the first named refrigerant passage and extending upwardly from the lower end thereof throughout the portion of the tap rod disposed in the barrel, and a capillary tube for delivering a refrigerant, in unexpanded condition, to the refrigerant jacket surrounding the central beer passage in the tap rod.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision in a refrigerated tap rod of a new and improved combination of elements assembled into a unitary structure which includes a metering device for controlling the flow of refrigerant into the tap rod to insure maximum efliciency of operation by maintaining the refrigerant passage of the rod constantly filled.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a refrigerated tap rod adapted for use in a refrigerating system without requiring the inclusion of an expansion valve, an element previously deemed essential in systems of this type. I:

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a refrigerated tap rod constructed in a manner to permit a plurality of these rods in a manner to permit a plurality of these rods to be connected in parallel relationship in a,

single refrigerating system with each rod functioning independently of the other rod or rods in the particular system.

A more specific object of the invention lies in the structural arrangement and combination of.

the several elements of the new and improved.

refrigerated tap rod.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a beer barrel,

partly in section, showing the application of a refrigerated tap rod, constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and illustrating diagrammatically its connection in a refrigerating system; i l

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the refrigerated tap rod of thepresent invention showing its application to a standard tap bush of a barrel;

intermediate tube to Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the refrigerated tap rod showing the details of construction of its several associated parts;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the refrigerated tap rod;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, showing the passage for admitting the refrigerant to the refrigerant jacket;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 6-ii of Fig. 3 showing the positioning of. the capillary tube in the upper portion of the tap rod;

Fig. '7 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line li of Fig. 3 showing the inlet and outlet ports through which the refrigerant is admitted to and discharged from the tap rod;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 8-6 of Fig. 3 showing the concentric arrangement of the several tubes of the rod which cooperate in a manner to form a central passage for conducting the beverage upwardly through the rod, an intermediate passage, surrounding the central passage, for conducting the incoming refrigerant downwardly through the rod, and an outer passage, surrounding the intermediate passage, for conducting the outgoing refrigerant to the discharge port of the rod; and

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan View of the tap rod showing the passage through which the beverage enters the lower end ofrod from the container.

Before entering into a detailed description of theillustrative embodiment of the present invention, it is believed that a brief discussion of theprinciples of its operation in comparison with other devices for similar purposes will serve to emphasize the more important features of the tap root of the present invention.

Refrigerated tap rods of the type now in general usage require the inclusion, in the refrigerant circuit, of an expansion valve which operates intermittently in response to variations in conditionsin the circuit to replenish the supply of. refrigerant in liquid form to replace the amount which has been vaporized in the process ofabsorbing heat from the beverage being cooled. In= circuits of this type, the expansion of the refrigerant begins immediately upon its release from the expansion valve, which is almost universally positioned at or near the compressor for the purpose of convenience and in all instances in a. position remote from the tap rod. With this: condition. present, the initial expansion of the refrigerant serves to no useful end since its heat absorbing properties arewasted in coolingthe atmosphere surrounding the refrigerant lead tothe rod as evidenced by the presence of frost on theselinesat all times. A further disadvantage of a refrigerating system embodying an expansion valvelies inv the fact that it is necessary toihook up a plurality of rods, in the event that more than. one may be required, in series connection with the result that the effectiveness of each succeeding rod in the series of rods is greatly reduced as the heat absorbing properties of the refrigerant have beenzmaterially dissipated in effecting the coolingv of the contents of the preceding rods.

The refrigerated rod embodying the teachings of the present invention overcomes the several difficulties mentioned in the next preceding paragraph by providing a, refrigerated tap. rod of new and; improved. construction adapted for use i in a refrigerating system without requiring the inclusion of an expansion valve in the system. A further advantage of the new and improved refrigerated tap rod lies in the fact that a metering device, in the form of a capillary tube, forms an integral part of the tap rod to insure the maintaining of the desired flooded condition of the rod with refrigerant at all times since the size of the orifice and the length of thetube are calculated with such nicety as to permit the admission of a sufficient volume of refrigerant to satisfy the heat exchange demands of the rod. Another advantage of the present rod lies in the fact that the inclusion of the capillary tube insures the delivery of the refrigerant in unexpanded condition to the refrigerant jacket of the rod so that its initial and most rapid heat absorbing action takes place at the most advantageous position in the refrigerant circuit; namely, in the tap rod and surrounding the passage through which the beer to be cooled is being drawn. A still further advantage of'the present rod lies in the fact that the inclusion of the metering device ineach rod permits a plurality of these rods to be hooked up in parallel relationship in a single refrigerant, system with positive assurance that each rod will function cf"- fectively and independently of the other rod or rods which may be included in the refrigerant circuit of the particular installation.

The refrigerated tap rod, chosen for illustrative. purposes in the accompanying drawings, is constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention and comprises generally a plurality of fittings and a plurality of tubes: adapted to be assembled into a unitary structure embodying the invention. The refrigerated tap rod includes a central or intermediate fitting l0, preferably a machined casting of brass or other rust resistant material, an upper end fitting H having the same characteristics, a lower end fitting l 2 which may be a screw machine part, and

a plurality of concentrically arranged thin-walled metal tubes ofhigh thermal conductivity'including a central tube 13, an intermediate tube" 14 and an outer tube i5 which surrounds the lower" A casing, tube portion of the tubes [-3 and id; [6 surrounds the upper portion of the tubes [3* and M and forms a protective covering for a capillary tube I which connects the fittings l0 and l i in a manner and for a purpose to be hereinafter more specifically described. The hollowcenter of the tube i3 forms a beverage passage 98 which extends the full length of the tap rod. A refrigerant passage I9, extending substantially the entirelength of the tube I3, is formed between the outer surface of the tube I3 and the inner surface of the tube It to provide a refrigerant jacket completely surrounding the beverage passage it; The lower endof the refrig erant passage I9= opens into a continuation passage 26- extending upwardly from the lower fitting i2 and into the intermediate fitting HF. This. refrigerant passage 2-0 is formed betweenthe outer. surface of the tube I l and the inner surface of the tube [5' to provide a refrigerant jacket surrounding thelower portion of the tube it and extending upwardly throughout the length. of that portion of the tap roddisposed within the barrel to which the rod is attached; so that the contents of the barrel is effected by the cooling action of the refrigerant as therefrigerant passes through the tap rod.

Referring more specifically to the structural details of the embodimentof theinvention-shown in the accompanying drawings, the body portion of the intermediate fitting I is substantially cylindrical in shape provided with an axially disposed central bore 2| sized to slidably receive and position the intermediate portion of the tube I4 which is soldered or brazed in proper position to form a fluid tight seal withthe bore 2|. An enlarged axially disposed bore 22 extends upwardly from the bottom of the fitting H]; the bore 22 being sized to slidably receive the upper portion of the outer tube I5 which is also brazed in fluid tight connection with the bore 22; A turned surface 23 on the upper portion of the fitting I 0 serves to slidably receive the lower portion of the casing tube 16 which is also tightly secured in place. The fitting It] includes an in-' let boss 24 projecting laterally therefrom and having an inlet port 25 threaded to receive a standard coupling forming a part of the refrigerant circuit. An axially disposed drilled hole 26 serves as .a passage to connect the inlet port 25 with one end of the capillary tube [1 which is secured in fluid tight connection with the upper portion of the hole 26. An outlet boss 21 projects laterally from the side of the fitting I0 opposite the inlet boss 24, and is provided with an outlet port 28 threaded to receive a standard coupling forming a part of the return line of the refrigerant circuit. A passage 29 serves to connect the refrigerant passage 20 with the outlet bi port 28.

The lowerend fitting l2 of the tap rod is provided with an axial bore 30 within which the lower end of the central tube I3 is secured in fluid tight connection. A slot 3| formed in the [3 which is secured in fluid tight connection in the bore 33. An enlarged axially disposed bore 34 extends upwardly from the bottom of the fitting l l and serves to slidably receive the upper end of the intermediate tube M which is tightly secured in the bore 34. An intermediate bore 35 serves as a passage to connect the refrigerant passage :9 with a cavity 38 formed in the fitting II. An axially disposed drilled hole 31 extending upwardly from the bottom surface of the fitting l l serves as a passage to connect the cavity 36 with the upper end of the capillary tube I! which is secured in fluid tight connection with the lower portion of the hole 31. The upper end 38 of the fitting H is fashioned in a manner to receive any standard beer faucet which may be releasably retained thereon in the usual well known manner. The outer diameter of the fitting is sized to be slidably received in the upper end of the casing tube 16 to which it may be secured in any desired way to form a tight connection therewith.

A brief description of the functioning of the refrigerated tap rod in connection with a refrigerating system will serve to advantage in presenting the operation of the rod in effecting the rapid and efiicient cooling of beer during its passage through the tap rod. In the illustrative refrigerating system, shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, any conventional vapor compression ma chine may be employed including a compressor 40, a condenser M, a refrigerant-supply line 42; and areturn or suction line 43. The free ends of the supply and return lines for the refrigerant are each provided with standard couplings arranged to be connected respectively with the threaded inlet port 25 and outlet port 28 located in the intermediate fitting ill of the tap rod. It should be noted, at this point, that the refrigerating system in which tap rods of the present invention are incorporated do. not require the use of an expansion valve in the system. The elimination of the expansion valve from the refrigerating system represents a marked departure from and advance in the state of the art pertaining to systems of this type and it is made possible by the inclusion, as an integral part of the tap rod, of a metering device, illustrated in the form of a capillary tube, for controlling the flow of refrigerant into the tap rod.

With the tap rod inserted into the barrel and secured in the tap bush in accordance with standard practice and the couplings of the supply and return lines of the refrigerating system connected respectively to the inlet and outlet ports of the tap rod, the device is installed and ready for operation to effect the cooling of the contents Of the barrel as it is drawn through the tap rod during the normal dispensin operation. Inthe present system; refrigerant flows under pressure from the condenser 4|, through the supply line 42 and is delivered in unexpanded condition into the inlet port 25 of the tap rod. The refrigerant, still in unexpanded condition, passes through the passage 25, then through the capillar tube I'L' the length and size of orifice of which serves as a metering device for controlling the volume of flow of the unexpanded refrigerant to the refrigerant passage 19 through passage 31, cavity 38 and intermediate bore 35. As the refrigerant enters the cavity 36 from the small orifice of the tube II, it begins to expand and becomes effective to absorb heat rapidly from the column of beer in the passage [8 of the central "tube 13- as the refrigerant flows downwardly through the passage [9 which forms a refrigerant jacket completely surrounding the thin-walled tube l3. formed of material having high thermal conductivity, throughout substantially its entire length. As the refrigerant leaves the open lower end of the passage [9 it enters the refrigerant passage 20 which forms a refrigerant jacket surrounding that portion of the tube M which normally isdisposed within the beer barrel or beverage con tainer. As the refrigerant passes upwardly through the passage 20 it continues to cool the passage l9 and also absorbs heat from the contents of the barrel in which it is immersed. One of the important advantages of the present tap rod lies in the fact that the refrigerant passages 19 and 2a in the tap rod are maintained in substantially flooded condition to insure highly efficient operating characteristics for the rod. The maintaining of the desired flooded condition of the refrigerant passages is accomplished by establishing a balanced condition between the requirements of the rod and the amount of refrigerant necessary to meet these requirements. This proper balance is established by calculation and experimentation and is maintained in the rod by making the length of the tube I1 and the diameter of its passage to correspond with the particular requirements of the rod.

The improved efficiency of the present refrigerated tap rod is based upon the combination of novel features embodied in the rod. The

7 most important single feature of the present rod is the provision, in the unitary structure, of a metering device which is elfective to accomplish several advantageous results. One major advantage .of vthe built-Vin metering device resides in the fact that its inclusion in the rod makes it possible to utilize the rod in ,a refrigcrating system in vwhich the usual expansion valve mechanism is completely eliminated. Another major advantage of the present rod including a metering device resides inthe fact that by reason of the improved construction a number of these individual rods may be connected in parallel in assingle refrigerating system with each rod functioning effectively and independently of the other rod or rods. Another major advantage of theipresent rod construction lies in 'thefact that the metering device, in the form of a capillary tube, :insures greater efiiciency'of rod operation by effecting thedelivery of the refrigerant in unexpected condition .so that the initial expansion of the refrigerant takes place in the rod'where it is :rnost effective to absorb heat from the beverage being drawn through the refrigerated rod. Another major advantage of the present rod construction lies in the fact that the metering device, in the form of a capillary tube,.provides a simple and efiective means for controlling the amount of refrigerant which passes through the individual rod. Another advantage of the "present rod construction lies in thetfact that the metering device, in the form of a capillary tube, can-have its length and the size of its passage so calculated as to insure the delivery of the proper amountof refrigerant to maintain the refrigerant passages of the rod flooded at all times to meet theheat absorbing requirements of the rod.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to an illustrative embodiment thereof, it -is to be understood that various changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts in a device embodying the teachings of the present invention without departing from .or sacrificing any .of the advantages hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A refrigerated tap rod,.for dispensing carbonated beveragesfrom a container, said refrigerated rod comprising an intermediate fitting, an upper fittinga lower fitting, and a plurality of concentrically arranged thin-walled metal tubes of high thermal conductivity including a central tube, an intermediate tube, andan outer tube, said central tube extending from said upper fitting to said lower fitting and forming a passage through which the beverage is drawn, said intermediate tube being anchored in said upper .fitting concentrically with said central tube and extending downwardly therefrom and cooperating with said central tube to delineate a refrigerant passage surrounding said beverage passage, said .outer tube extending from said lower fitting to said intermediate .fitt'ing iconcentrically with said intermediate tube and cooperating therewith to delineate a continuation of refrigerant passage, a refrigerant inlet in said intermediate fitting, .a refrigerant outlet in said intermediate fitting, and a metering device interposed between said refrigerant inlet and said refrigerant passage, .sai'd metering device serving to control the flow of refrigerantto'said refrigerant passage .in such quantity as to maintain said passage substantially filled with refrigerant at all times whereby the .efiectiveness of the refrigerating action ,of the rod is .materially increased.

2. A refrigerated tap rod constructed asset forth in claim 1, in which the metering device isxa capillary tube.

3. .A refrigerated tap rod constructed as set forth in claim 1, in which the metering device comprises a capillary tube disposed adjacent the outer surface of that portion'of the intermediate tube located between said intermediate fitting and said upper fitting.

4. A refrigerated tap rod constructed asset forth in claim 1, in which the :metering device comprises .a capillary :tube .of "helical form surrounding the portion of said intermediate tube disposed between said intermediatefitting and said :upper fitting.

CARL L. DAUN.

Refercnces cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 950,295 Marsdenet a1 Feb. 22, 1910 2,177,207 Del Nero, ,Oct. 24, 1939 2,203,365 Rice June 4, .1940 2,316,376 Weiss -Apr. 13, 1943 2,367,340 .Daun ,r Jan. 16, 1945 2,434374 Tull n lJan. 13,1948 

